Politics
By Benprince Ezeh
THE secretary to government of the federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha has said that the ministry of agriculture and rural development is working to develop a new policy to improve agricultural financing in the country.
Speaking at the closing session of the two-day Mid-term Ministerial performance review retreat on Tuesday in Abuja, Mustapha said: “Between 2020–2025, the ministry of agriculture and rural development is to address the increased small scale holders’ capacity, increased research and innovation, reforms on-farm inputs, which is critical for small scale holders and improved agricultural financing, and that new agricultural policy will be out by December 2021.
“To facilitate policy execution and forestall a resistance to Government interventions there is need to engage stakeholders more in the policy development process, especially regarding policies that will affect them.”
According to him, the government is planning to enhance food security and lower food prices. “There is need to also focus on commercial and industrial farmers and not only on smallholders.
“Commodity Exchange will come on stream by the end of 2021 or Q1 of 2022 at the latest.
“On agriculture and environment, there is need to align the National Adoption Plans with the agricultural plans and policies. There is also a need to accelerate the climate change bill Priority,” he said.
Mustapha, who also highlighted the need to ensure sufficiency in power and petroleum products, said that on meeting the target of 3 million barrels per day by 2023, the ministry has strategized to increase production and also to negotiate a suitable OPEC quota towards meeting this target by 2023.
“One of these is the successful conclusion of the marginal bid round and agreements on OML 118 and 25.
“There is also a need to implement adequate security measures to reduce theft and eventually maximise oil production.
“On the current status of the Siemens MOU: A Special Purpose Vehicle has been formed, and the Memorandum of Understanding has been signed.
“The Environmental Impact Assessment and Right of Way studies are ongoing. Soon the engineering, procurement, and construction will commence and the targets of 7,000 MW (Phase 1), 11,000 MW (2nd Phase), and 25,000 MW (3rd Phase) will follow. The 3rd Phase affects the entire power value chain of generation, transmission, and distribution,” he said.
According to him, subsidizing electricity products will impact jobs and industries in the country.
“On overcoming constraints to power distribution, there is need to consider subsidizing electricity production, which will impact on jobs and industries.
On timing the completion of refineries repairs to align with the rehabilitation of the pipelines, storage depots, and jetties.
“This is being done. The various refineries under repairs will become functional from 18 months through to 48 months.
“On Dangote Refinery. Delays due to COVID-19 induced supply chain disruptions are being overcome and the commissioning should be by 2022,” the SGF said.
First published – Oct. 13, 2021 @ 13:06 GMT | C.E
Tags: Boss Mustapha two-day Mid-term Ministerial performance review retreat
